asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that youths completing pre-apprenticeship courses in Coatbridge and Lanarkshire cannot be placed in work; and what steps are being taken to deal with this situation.

As the pre-apprenticeship courses will not be completed until the end of this month it is too soon to assess the success of students in obtaining employment. The Youth Employment Service is as usual giving all the assistance it can, though the work of placing young people in employment may take longer this year.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployed persons in Lanarkshire, and in districts and burghs thereof for which he has such information.

In the county as a whole, the percentage rate of unemployment at 12th May was 3.9. The only localities for which separate percentages of unemployment can be computed are Lanark, Shotts and Lesmahagow, where the precentages were 2.0, 3.6 and 2.2 respectively. In the Glasgow area the percentage was 3.4 and in the rest of North Lanarkshire taken as a whole it was 6.5.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as unemployed in the West Riding of Yorkshire at the latest convenient date in May, 1958; and what was the number in May, 1955, May, 1956, and May, 1957.

Following is the reply: NUMBER OF PERSONS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN THE WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE AT 16TH MAY, 1955, 14TH MAY, 1956, AND 13TH MAY, 1957, AND 12TH MAY, 1958 Date Wholly unemployed Temporarily stopped Total 16th May, 1955 … 7,917 2,004 9,921 14th May, 1956 … 7,749 1,645 9,394 13th May, 1957 … 11,248 1,016 12,264 12th May, 1958 … 19,738 9,380 29,118

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of registered unemployed at the Feltham and Hounslow employment exchanges at the latest convenient date.

At 16th June, 1958, there were 81 men and 32 women registered as unemployed at Feltham Employment Exchange and 262 men and 94 women at Hounslow Employment Exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed in the aircraft and radio industries at the latest convenient date.

At 12th May, 1958, the total numbers registered as unemployed were 2,285 in the wireless apparatus and gramophone industry, 453 in the wireless valves and electric lamps industry and 1,915 in the aircraft industry.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of school leavers in the Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley area are able to secure immediate employment.

All school leavers at Christmas and Easter last obtained employment within four weeks. The prospect for summer leavers seems much the same.

asked the Minister of Labour what action has been taken to give effect to the recommendations made by the Industrial Health Advisory Committee for improving the situation relating to first-aid in factories arising out of the Halifax survey.

Revised drafts of the First-Aid in Factories Order and of the first-aid leaflet were sent to interested organisations in April, 1958, and their comments invited by 30th June. Subject to their comments I hope to make a new Order and to publish a new leaflet before the end of the year.

My Department has discussed the question of the recruitment and training of persons in first-aid in factories with representatives of the St. John Ambulance Association, St. Andrew's Ambulance Association and the British Red Cross Society. As a result it has been decided to select, in consultation with representatives of these associations, two or three places in each of the fourteen divisions of the Factory Inspectorate where special efforts will be made to stimulate an increase in the number of factory workers taking initial or refresher courses in first-aid. I attach great importance to the success of these efforts as an increase in the number of factory workers with up-to-date training in first-aid treatment is essential in securing the improvements in the present situation which everyone agrees to be necessary. I am glad to say that the British Employers' Confederation, the Trades Union Congress and the nationalised industries have indicated their support for these proposals.

Further action will depend on the results achieved in the places selected for these special efforts to stimulate training.

asked the Secretary of State for War what provision the medical authorities have on Christmas Island for dealing with diabetic cases; and how many cases in recent years have occurred in the Army where death has been so sudden as that of Lance-Corporal Redman.

The medical care of soldiers on Christmas Island is undertaken by the Royal Air Force. It has a fully staffed emergency hospital which is adequately equipped for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.

In the last five years there have been in the Army three cases comparable with that of Lance-Corporal Redman.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state for the month of May the number of occasions on which the 7.45 p.m. mail train from Kings Cross to Dundee arrived in Dundee in time to ensure that the letters carried by it were delivered by the first delivery that morning in the city.

Twenty-two occasions out of 27.

asked the Postmaster-General what parts of the Chigwell urban district are to be served by the new Ivanhoe telephone exchange; and when the work is to be started.

It is too soon to say. This scheme is still at an early stage of planning.

asked the Postmaster-General to which countries the transferred charge telephone service is now available; and, having regard to the value of this facility to the business community and to those who holiday abroad, what prospects there are of still further extension of this service.

The transferred charge service is now available or is about to be introduced in the telephone service with 14 countries in Europe and North Africa and 21 countries outside Europe including Canada, United States and South Africa. The following countries are concerned: Europe and North Africa Outside Europe Algeria British Guiana Austria Canada Belgium Hongkong Denmark Iran Faroe Islands Malaya Finland Malta France Singapore Hungary South Africa Luxembourg Rhodesia Netherlands U.S.A. Norway Ascension To be introduced shortly. Sweden Bahrein Switzerland Barbados (Shortly) Federal Republic of Germany Doha Fiji Islands Israel Jamaica Leeward Islands Muscat St. Helena Windward Islands

I am glad that the new facility has been so warmly welcomed; it is my intention to extend it in collaboration with the overseas administrations concerned wherever mutually satisfactory arrangements can be worked out.

asked the Postmaster-General how many private telephones have been installed in the West Riding of Yorkshire since June, 1955; and how many applicants are awaiting service.

Approximately 38,000 private telephones were installed in the West Riding of Yorkshire between June, 1955, and March, 1958, and just over 5,000 applicants are awaiting service. About half of the latter will be given service in the near future.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the lack of British Broadcasting Corporation's television services in the West Highlands and Islands, and of the existing poor sound radio reception there; and what steps he is taking to provide television services and improve sound radio services.

I am aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers and the British Broadcasting Corporation has them very much in mind. Because, however, of limitations on its capital expenditure, and its existing commitments, it does not expect to be able to provide any stations in the West Highlands and Islands before at least 1960.

asked the Postmaster-General why radio listeners in the Western Isles are being refused better quality service by the British Broadcasting Corporation while being charged full licence fees; and when it is intended to introduce sound quality improvement and very high frequency service to this area.

The licence fee covers the use of a receiving set, and cannot be adjusted to the amount of use or quality of reception. The B.B.C. plans for improvement of the existing services involve the building of new V.H.F. stations. Because of its existing commitments and limitations on its capital expenditure, the B.B.C. does not expect to be able to provide such stations before at least 1960.

asked the Postmaster-General which Highland and Island local authorities have written to him recently asking for the early introduction of television service to the Western Isles and North West Highland areas; and whether he will now consider speeding up the programme in view of the lack of other adequate British Broadcasting Corporation services and local public entertainment and the importance of facilities for leisure to the Government's declared policy of retaining the younger population in the region.

Since the beginning of this year, representations have been received from the Burgh of Stornoway, Tiree and Coll District Council and the Sutherland County Council.

The British Broadcasting Corporation regrets that because of limitations on its capital expenditure and its existing commitments, it does not expect to be able to start any extension of its television service to this area before at least 1960. Resources available for the extension of the television service are not unlimited and I am sorry to say that there is no prospect of earlier provision.

asked the Postmaster-General the estimated cost of introducing very high frequency and television service to the Western Isles; and from what items of necessary expenditure this total figure is made up.

Two stations in Lewis and Skye, with a Post Office link to bring the programme from the mainland, would probably be required and would involve a capital cost of the order of £500,000: and these would, by no means, give complete coverage to the Western Isles.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what clergy and chaplains there are on Christmas Island; and why it was not possible to consecrate a burial ground on the island when Lance-Corporal Redman died on 7th May.

There are two Royal Air Force chaplains, one Church of England and one Roman Catholic. It is unfortunately impracticable to provide a burial ground on the island because of the permanently high water table.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many United States military aeroplanes crashed or carried out forced landings in Great Britain during the last two years; and how many of these were carrying atomic or thermonuclear bombs.

Since June, 1956, twenty-five United States military aircraft have crashed or made forced landings in Great Britain, although many of these accidents involved no casualties or damage to civil property. None of the aircraft was carrying an atomic or thermo-nuclear weapon.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the representations made to him by the County of Lincoln, Parts of Lindsey County Council, he will ensure the complete clearance of all buildings and their concrete bases on Wickersby Aerodrome.

If this airfield is given up, any unwanted buildings will be sold independently of the land. One of the conditions of sale would be that the purchaser should demolish the buildings to ground level and remove the materials. I am afraid we could not justify spending public money on removing concrete bases.

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) the proposed changes in the area boundaries, as a result of the amalgamation of No. 12 Works Area with that of No. 14, and their concentration in Exeter;

(2) how many people are likely to become redundant in consequence of his Department's decision to amalgamate No. 12 Works Area Headquarters with that of No. 14 Works Area;

(3) to what extent, in deciding to amalgamate No. 12 Works Area Headquarters at Bristol with that of No. 14 Works Area at Launceston to form a new headquarters at Exeter, he has considered the extra cost that will be involved in the personnel travelling from Exeter to service the Royal Air Force stations, most of which are in the Bristol area.

Initially the new Works Area will cover the whole of the region at present divided between Nos. 12 and 14 Works Areas. We intend later to transfer some of the northern R.A.F. units, including Bristol itself, to another Works Area. The headquarters at Exeter will then be more central to the stations it administers. The amalgamation will save over sixty posts in different grades. Established staff not required at Exeter will be transferred to vacancies elsewhere. I cannot yet say how many unestablished staff will have to be discharged but I hope that it may not be much more than twenty.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent he has been informed of the staggering of hours of work during the omnibus stoppage, and its effect; and what action he proposes to take to continue its operation when the dispute ends.

I received from the London Transport Executive daily reports on travelling conditions. It was clear that employers and start alike responded very well to the appeal I made when the strike began that a special effort to stagger hours should be made during the strike, and the peaks were spread over two or three hours. I have now made a further appeal asking Londoners to continue the staggered hours which the bus strike showed were practicable and the Crush Hour Committee has asked the Chairman of Central London's six zones to explore urgently how the experience of the strike can be turned to lasting benefit.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action has been taken by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport in regard to Resolution 146, 1958, concerning its Fourth Report adopted at the Tenth Ordinary Session of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.

This Resolution, which deals with many of the important subjects covered by the Fourth Report of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport, will be considered in a preliminary way by the Conference when it meets in Paris later this week.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport in regard to negotiating an agreement covering international regulations on waterways west of the River Rhine.

The Fourth Report of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport explained that the Governments of Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland had notified their intention to sign the Draft Agreement, on the understanding that it should not come into force until after the accession of the Netherlands Government and that discussions were proceeding in order to smooth the way for the accession of the Netherlands Government. I understand that no conclusion has yet been reached.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the Annual Summaries of the Licensing Authorities' Reports for the year ended September, 1957, will be published.

Towards the end of next month.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further support he has now received for raising the 30 miles-per-hour speed limit on the lightest types of goods vehicles; and whether he will now make a statement.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many prosecutions took place last year arising out of pollution of the sea by oil; if he is aware that the pollution of some beaches is as bad now as it has ever been, and that bathers and their clothes are covered with oil; and if he will take further steps to prevent this by making it compulsory for all oilburning and oil-carrying vessels to have separators installed.

The answers to the three parts of this Question are as follows. First—46; second—I am aware of the recent outbreak of oil pollution of some of our beaches and I greatly regret this deterioration in an otherwise improved situation; third—those dry-cargo ships registered in the United Kingdom which use their bunker fuel tanks for ballast water are required to be fitted with oily-water separators as from 1st July next. The extension of this requirement to other classes of ships is not necessary because other steps are taken to avoid pollution.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the renewal of oil pollution in Southampton Water in early May; and what steps are being taken to trace those responsible.

As I said in my Answer to my hon. Friend, the Member for Gosport and Fareham (Dr. Bennett) on 21st May, the evidence is that the oil came from a tanker of foreign flag. I understand that the Southampton Harbour Board will take proceedings against the master of the ship when he returns to this country.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will direct the appropriate area Transport Users' Consultative Committee to consider the proposal of British Railways to close the old Midland and Great Northern Railway linking the midland counties with Norfolk.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the concern which is being felt in Norfolk regarding the proposed closing of the Midland and Great Northern Line; and if he will give an assurance that before any final decision is taken he will refer the matter for the consideration of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee for the area involved.

The British Transport Commission has already publicly announced that its proposals for this line will be submitted to the appropriate Transport Users' Consultative Committees.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) the annual sums spent in England on the construction and extension of new roads during the last year; his estimate of the sums to be spent during the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement;

(2) the annual sums spent in Wales on the construction and extension of new roads during the last year; his estimate of the sums to be spent during the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement.

Government expenditure on major road improvements in England and Wales for the financial year 1957–58 was £22.7 million and £0.9 million respectively. It is estimated that comparable figures for the current year will be £33.5 million—including £700,000 on the Ross Spur Motorway, which is of close interest to South Wales—and £1.7 million.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether his negotiations for the purchase of the toll rights of Selby Bridge have yet been completed.

No, not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to which farms on the River Clyde in the Upper Ward of the County of Lanark he is willing to give financial help toward the cost of anti-flood repairs.

No applications by owners of agricultural land in this area for grant under the new Land Drainage (Scotland) Act have yet been made to me, but one inquiry by an owner in the Upper Ward of the County of Lanark is being considered in this connection.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a further statement about the arrangements for financial awards to university students.

Yes. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have decided to set up a Committee with the following terms of referenceTo consider the present system of awards from public funds to students attending first degree courses at universities and comparable courses at other institutions and to make recommendations.

The Committee will, therefore, consider the kinds of awards to be made from public funds, the method of selecting students for such awards and the principle of the hardship test required by the law as it now stands.

Sir Colin Anderson has accepted the Government's invitation to act as chairman and the other members of the committee are: Mrs. Gladys Buxton (Chairman of Derbyshire County Council). Mrs. Margaret Cooke (Birmingham City Councillor). Mr. W. McL. Dewar, O.B.E. (Headmaster of George Heriot's, Edinburgh). Miss J. A. Evans (Headmistress of Keighley Girls' Grammar School). Mr. W. W. Finlay (Governor of the Scottish College of Commerce, Glasgow). Mr. Norman Fisher (Principal of the Staff College of the National Coal Board). Alderman J. W. F. Hill, Kt., C.B.E. (President of the Council, University of Nottingham). Mr. H. D. P. Lee (Headmaster of Winchester College). Dr. D. W. Logan (Principal of the University of London). Mr. Ron Smith (Secretary of the Union of Post Office Workers). Dr. L. S. Sutherland, C.B.E. (Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford). Professor Brinley Thomas, O.B.E. (Professor of Economics, University College, Cardiff). Dr. J. Topping (Principal of the Bruner College of Technology, Acton, Middlesex). Mr. A. H. Wilson (Managing Director in charge of research and development. Courtauld's Ltd.). Professor E. M. Wright (Professor of Mathematics, University of Aberdeen). The secretaries of the committee are Mr. D. Neylan (Ministry of Education) and Mr. G. A. T. Hanks (Scottish Education Department).